Question 1

Q: What other states can use my Illinois 16 hour concealed carry certificate

Accepted Answer

Florida, and Arizona Permits for Illinois Residents. Currently the Illinois permit is honored in less than half of the states of this country. Illinois residents who travel a lot often inquire about how they can obtain permits from other states to allow them to increase the number of states where they can carry concealed. Here is your reciprocity with an Illinois Permit Only: illinois only Click Here make sure to clear and select state. 
 
In our own estimation, the best case scenario for reciprocity for an Illinois resident would be to obtain a resident permit from Illinois and then obtain non-resident permits from Arizona, andFlorida.
 
The Arizona is the simplest and most effective permit. After completing our Illinois Concealed Carry Course you can use the same training certificate to apply for your Arizona permit. NO ADDITIONAL CLASS IS NECESSARY. This single additional permit will add the following states to your list of states that honor your permits:
 
Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Question 2

Q: Who needs an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

Everyone who wants to carry a concealed firearm on his/her person in Illinois is required to have an Illinois Concealed Carry License except current peace officers and retired police officers eligible under a federally approved retired officer concealed carry program such as the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry (IROCC) Program. Retired officers may be eligible to carry under either the IROCC Program or the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66).

Question 3

Q: What is the penalty for carrying a weapon without a valid CCL?

Accepted Answer

Generally, an Unlawful Use of Weapons first offense is a Class A Misdemeanor and a second or subsequent offense is a Class 3 Felony; however, there are penalty enhancements for certain locations (for example on or within 1,000 feet of any school, public park, courthouse, public transportation facility, or residential public housing). Further, an Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapons first offense is a Class 4 Felony and a second or subsequent offense is a Class 2 Felony.

Question 4

Q: What is the cost for an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

$150 for 5 years for Illinois residents $300 for 5 years for out-of-state residents

Question 5

Q: How does a citizen apply for an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

The Applicant Must:
 
Be at least 21 years of age.
 
Have a valid FOID card. (Illinois Residents).
 
Have not been convicted or found guilty in Illinois or any other state of:
 
A misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force or violence to any person within the last 5 years.
 
2 or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, within the last 5 years.
 
Not be the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification.
 
Not have been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the last 5 years.
Submit a completed Concealed Carry License application.
 
Successfully complete 16 hours of firearms training, including classroom and range instruction.

Question 6

Q: How long will it take a citizen to obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

Upon receipt of a completed application, including fee, the ISP shall issue or deny the applicant an Illinois Concealed Carry License within 90 days, provided the applicant submits a full set of fingerprints in electronic format. If fingerprints are not submitted the ISP is granted an additional 30 days to complete a manual background check. In all cases, law enforcement agencies will have 30 days to file an objection once an application is received. Due to Covid-19 it is taking longer than the times specified.

Question 7

Q: Where can I go to be fingerprinted?

Accepted Answer

Concealed Carry License applicants who intend to submit fingerprints for non-criminal justice purposes must be fingerprinted by a licensed Illinois live scan vendor or registered law enforcement agency authorized to submit for Conceal Carry purposes. A list of licensed live scan fingerprint vendors is available at the following link:
https://www.idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp/fingerprintlist.asp This list is all inclusive; accordingly, any vendor not on this list is not a Licensed Illinois Livescan Vendor. Prints from non-licensed vendors will not be accepted.

Question 8

Q: The Act requires applicants to submit a photo taken within the past 30 days, will the photo be taken as part of the Fee Application for applicants who submit electronic fingerprints satisfy this requirement?"

Accepted Answer

No. All applicants must submit a photo taken within the past 30 days even if they were photographed as part of their fingerprinting process.

Question 9

Q: What are the qualifications for an Illinois Concealed Carry License? The applicant must:

Accepted Answer

Be at least 21 years of age
Have a currently valid FOID card (if an Illinois resident) (Read our Guide to FOID cards)
Is not prohibited under federal law from possessing or receiving a firearm
Have not been convicted or found guilty in Illinois or any other state of:
A misdemeanor involving the use or threat of physical force or violence to any person within the last 5 years
2 or more violations related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, within the last 5 years
Not be the subject of a pending arrest warrant, prosecution, or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification
Not have been in residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the last 5 years
Submit a completed Concealed Carry License application
Successfully complete 16 hours of firearms training, including classroom and range instruction. (More on this below)

Question 10

Q: What type of firearm will I be allowed to carry concealed?

Accepted Answer

A “Concealed firearm” is defined, in relevant part, as a loaded or unloaded handgun. “Handgun” means any device which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas, or escape of gas that is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand.”Handgun” does not include:
A stun gun or taser;
A machine gun as defined in item (i) of paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012;
A short-barreled rifle or shotgun as defined in item (ii) of paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012
Any pneumatic gun, spring gun, paint ball gun, or B-B gun which expels a single globular projectile not exceeding .18 inch in diameter, or which has a maximum muzzle velocity of less than 700 feet per second, or which expels breakable paint balls containing washable marking colors.

Question 11

Q: Where can I learn more about denials and appealing denials?

Accepted Answer

Check out FAQ guide for dealing with and appealing denials from ISP (Illinois State Police)

Question 12

Q: Are Out-of-State Concealed Carry permit holders granted reciprocity in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

No. Out-of-State residents who want to carry a concealed firearm on their person must obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License to lawfully carry a concealed firearm in Illinois. In order for out-of-state residents to be eligible for an Illinois license, their state’s concealed carry license laws must be substantially similar to those of Illinois. The Illinois State Police will establish rules to identify the elements necessary to meet the substantially similar requirement.
 
Out of state residents are granted a limited exception to lawfully carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle if they are eligible to carry a firearm in public under the laws of their state or territory of residence and are not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under federal law. This rule became effective immediately.
 
If the non-resident leaves his/her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 65 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

Question 13

Q: Can out-of-state residents obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

Illinois does not recognize the concealed carry permits of other states. So how can someone who is frequently visiting Illinois, for work or personal reasons, exercise their 2nd Amendment rights?
 
Although the Firearm Concealed Carry Act intended to issue licenses to non-residents, the way the law is interpreted, only residents of Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina and Virginia are currently able to obtain them. And that is after paying an application fee of $300, which is twice the fee for residents. Until there is a legislative “fix” to the law, no other non-residents will have the ability to get an Illinois license.
 
HOWEVER, non-residents who have a valid CCW permit from their own state may have a concealed firearm in their car. By definition of the Act, this would include a loaded handgun in the passenger compartment of their car, but only in their car. So they can “carry concealed” in Illinois within their vehicle. When leaving the vehicle, the gun would have to either be left in the car:
 
1. in a container, and
2. either the container or the car itself must be locked
or, the gun would have to be unloaded and removed from the car.
 
Interestingly enough, this means that an Illinois resident who does not have a License to Carry is guilty of a felony for having a loaded gun in their car, but a non-resident is perfectly legal, as long as they have a permit from their own state. Many Illinoisans over the years have obtained non-resident concealed carry permits from states such as Utah and Florida, but that gives the Illinois resident NO right to carry in Illinois. The only ccw permits from other states that are “recognized” in Illinois are those of a non-resident, and then only for the express purpose of ‘carrying’ in their car while in Illinois.
 
Please note that the non-resident must have a ccw permit issued by their own state.
 
This is not legal advice. Please read the law yourself:
 
430 ILCS 66/40)
                 Sec. 40. Non-resident license applications.
                 (a) For the purposes of this Section, "non-resident" means a person who has not resided within this State for more than 30 days and resides in another state or territory.
                 (b) The Department shall by rule allow for non-resident license applications from any state or territory of the United States with laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying, that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license under this Act.
                 (c) A resident of a state or territory approved by the Department under subsection (b) of this Section may apply for a non-resident license. The applicant shall apply to the Department and must meet all of the qualifications established in Section 25 of this Act, except for the Illinois residency requirement in item (xiv) of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 4 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. The applicant shall submit:
                   (1) the application and documentation required under Section 30 of this Act and the applicable fee;
                   (2) a notarized document stating that the applicant:
                   (A) is eligible under federal law and the laws of his or her state or territory of residence to own or possess a firearm;
                   (B) if applicable, has a license or permit to carry a firearm or concealed firearm issued by his or her state or territory of residence and attach a copy of the license or permit to the application;
                   (C) understands Illinois laws pertaining to the possession and transport of firearms; and
                   (D) acknowledges that the applicant is subject to the jurisdiction of the Department and Illinois courts for any violation of this Act;
             (3) a photocopy of any certificates or other evidence of compliance with the training requirements under Section 75 of this Act; and
             (4) a head and shoulder color photograph in a size specified by the Department taken within the 30 days preceding the date of the application.
                   (d) In lieu of an Illinois driver's license or Illinois identification card, a non-resident applicant shall provide similar documentation from his or her state or territory of residence. In lieu of a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, the applicant shall submit documentation and information required by the Department to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification Card, including an affidavit that the non-resident meets the mental health standards to obtain a firearm under Illinois law, and the Department shall ensure that the applicant would meet the eligibility criteria to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification card if he or she was a resident of this State.
                  (e) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a non-resident from transporting a concealed firearm within his or her vehicle in Illinois, if the concealed firearm remains within his or her vehicle and the non-resident:
               (1) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under federal law;
               (2) is eligible to carry a firearm in public under the laws of his or her state or territory of residence, as evidenced by the possession of a concealed carry license or permit issued by his or her state of residence, if applicable; and
               (3) is not in possession of a license under this Act. If the non-resident leaves his or her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 65 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 98-63, eff. 7-9-13; 98-600, eff. 12-6-13; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)
 
Check Our More Detailed Guide for Non-Illinois Residents here.

Question 14

Q: Which Out-of-State residents can obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

The Illinois State Police sent a survey to each state to determine which of them has concealed carry laws that are substantially similar to Illinois. Currently, the only states considered to have substantially similar concealed carry laws are Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina and Virginia. Therefore, out of states residents of these states may obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry Permit after completing the required 16 Hour Course.

Question 15

Q: Who needs an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

Everyone who wants to carry a concealed firearm on his/her person in Illinois is required to have an Illinois Concealed Carry License except current peace officers and retired police officers eligible under a federally approved retired officer concealed carry program such as the Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry (IROCC) Program. Retired officers may be eligible to carry under either the IROCC Program or the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66).

Question 16

Q: What other states honor the Illinois Permit?

Accepted Answer

The list of states that honor the permit is extensive and subject to change. Check the map on the home page of this website for a current list of states that honor the Illinois Concealed Weapon Permit.

Question 17

Q: With my permit will I be allowed to open carry?

Accepted Answer

No. A handgun carried on or about a person must be concealed from view of the public or on or about a person within a vehicle.

Question 18

Q: What is the parking lot exemption for CCL holders in prohibited places?

Accepted Answer

Any licensee prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm into the parking area of a prohibited location shall be permitted to carry a concealed firearm on or about his or her person within a vehicle into the parking area and may store a firearm or ammunition concealed in a case within a locked vehicle or locked container out of plain view within the vehicle in the parking area. A licensee may carry a concealed firearm in the immediate area surrounding his or her vehicle within a prohibited parking lot area only for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm within the vehicle’s trunk, provided the licensee ensures the concealed firearm is unloaded prior to exiting the vehicle. This exception does not apply to any area where firearms are prohibited under federal law or to property regulated by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Question 19

Q: Who can get credit for up to 8 hours of prior training (from either previous courses or experience)?

Accepted Answer

The statute provides that active, retired, and honorably discharged members of the United States Armed Forces shall be considered to have completed 8 hours of the 16 hour training requirement. Applicants who have completed a training course that is approved by the Department and recognized under the laws of another state may get up to 8 hours of training toward the 16 hour training requirement. Click on the link to view approved courses. https://www.isp.state.il.us/appriss/ccw/CCWPriorTrainingCredit.pdf

Question 20

Q: Will Illinois Concealed Carry License holders have reciprocity in other states?

Accepted Answer

This will be determined by the laws of the 49 other states. Illinois Concealed Carry License holders who want to conceal and carry in other states are responsible for researching the state laws to where they are traveling. You can also click here to see the Reciprocity Map.

Question 21

Q: Do I need to take a refresher course to renew my Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must take the 3 Hour refresher course. Renewal class MUST be taken before your license expires. If you submit your renewal application prior to expiration, your card will remain in an ACTIVE status while ISP process your application.
 
NOTE: If you allow your card to expire, you will need to retake the 16 hour training all over again.

Question 22

Q: What must you do if your FOID card is due to expire before your Concealed Carry License?

Accepted Answer

Your FOID card must be current for your Concealed Carry License to remain active.
If you allow your FOID card to expire, your Concealed Carry License will be revoked by Illinois State Police.

Question 23

Q: What is an approved Credited Courses

Accepted Answer

Click here for PDF view on approved courses.

Question 24

Q: What to Bring to Class

Accepted Answer

1. Firearms of your Choice (preferably 9mm)
 
2. Safety Glasses
 
3. Ear Protection
 
4. live Ammo 50rd box
 
5. Mask to cover stay at home order.
 
if you dont have athy of the above we not to worry, we do have equipment, rental of firearm 9mm, eye protection, and 50 rd of ammo, disposible ear protection. for your conviemce all comes with purchase of class. we do ask for 50 deposit to reserve seat and equipment but not manditory as previously stated.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What other states can use my Illinois 16 hour concealed carry certificate

Q: Who needs an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Q: What is the penalty for carrying a weapon without a valid CCL?

Q: What is the cost for an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Q: How does a citizen apply for an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Q: How long will it take a citizen to obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Q: Where can I go to be fingerprinted?

Q: The Act requires applicants to submit a photo taken within the past 30 days, will the photo be taken as part of the Fee Application for applicants who submit electronic fingerprints satisfy this requirement?"

Q: What are the qualifications for an Illinois Concealed Carry License? The applicant must:

Q: What type of firearm will I be allowed to carry concealed?

Q: Where can I learn more about denials and appealing denials?

Q: Are Out-of-State Concealed Carry permit holders granted reciprocity in Illinois?

Q: Can out-of-state residents obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Q: Which Out-of-State residents can obtain an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Q: Who needs an Illinois Concealed Carry License?

Q: What other states honor the Illinois Permit?

Q: With my permit will I be allowed to open carry?

Q: What is the parking lot exemption for CCL holders in prohibited places?

Q: Who can get credit for up to 8 hours of prior training (from either previous courses or experience)?

Q: Will Illinois Concealed Carry License holders have reciprocity in other states?

Q: Do I need to take a refresher course to renew my Concealed Carry License?

Q: What must you do if your FOID card is due to expire before your Concealed Carry License?

Q: What is an approved Credited Courses

Q: What to Bring to Class